A full denture, also called a complete denture, replaces natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips. Without support from the denture, facial muscles can sag, making a person look much older.

There are the following types of complete dentures:

• Conventional full denture: after patient's remaining teeth are removed and the gum tissues have healed, this kind of denture is made and placed inside the mouth. The process for tissue healing may take months.
• Immediate full denture: The denture wearer does not have to wait during the healing period because after teeth removal, this kind of denture is made and inserted into patient's mouth.

The base of the full denture is made of flesh-colored plastic. When the base of the upper denture rests over the gums and palate, a seal is created, which holds the denture in place. Cheek muscles and the tongue help hold the lower denture in place.

Full dentures resemble your natural teeth very closely. There may be little change in your appearance and they even can improve the look of your smile.

It takes about weeks for patients to get used to wearing the dentures. Your cheek muscles and tongue are learning to hold them in place. You may experience increase in saliva flow. These problems will usually go away once your mouth is getting accustomed to the new dentures.

Eating with them takes more practice. You are recommended to start with soft foods cut into small pieces. And chew slowly and alternate between both sides of your mouth to prevent dentures from being out of place. Other types of food should be added gradually.

It helps to read out loud and repeat difficult words in front of a mirror. Remember if the dentures slip out of place because you laugh or cough, you can bite them down to pull them back in place.

In this adjusting period, you should wear them at all time, even including bed time. This helps you getting used to them. When you are fully fluent with them, you should not wear them while you sleep, because this may cause irritation in mouth tissues.

Like your natural teeth, dentures need to be taken care of if you want them to last. Daily brushing can remove the food deposits and plaque and prevent from getting stained. Be sure to use a soft tooth brush. An ultrasonic cleaner can only provide an addition to cleaning; it can not replace the daily brushing.

You can also use hand soap or mild dishwashing agents to clean dentures. Stay away from powdered cleaning detergent because it might be too abrasive to dentures.

Also try not to let your denture dry out for too long because this might cause change in the shape. Never soak dentures in hot water. Do not put your dentures in a place that is accessible to small kids or pets.

Whenever your dentures break, crack, or become loose, you need to contact your dentists immediately. Only a professional can make adjustments to dentures. Sometimes over-the-counter glues contain chemicals that can cause harms to you and/or your dentures.

Remember your mouth naturally changes with age and the alignment of your teeth varies as well. So it is important to replace your dentures entirely when it is necessary. Therefore you need to have it checked up with your dentists.